The A-Z guide to International air ambulances : An Expert Review

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International Air Ambulance Guide: What is an air ambulance?

An air ambulance is just what it sounds like. It’s an aircraft specially outfitted to transport patients in need of medical care. Often when we think of air ambulances, we think of air rescue helicopters taking patients in need of emergency care or intensive care to the nearest ICU. While that is one version of an air ambulance, there are several types of ambulance aircraft and several reasons why people utilize their services.

Many air ambulances are intended to fly long distances during both emergency and non-emergency situations such as flying internationally for medical repatriation back home. Air ambulances have given rise to an international ambulance service that allows patients across the globe obtain the necessary treatment and care for their wellbeing.

What would be the best air ambulance service for your needs? 

There are different types of international ambulance services that you can leverage to travel long distances if you are sick or injured. For instance, you can fly on a private ambulance jet outfitted with the latest medical equipment or travel on a commercial flight with medical escorts. If the patient is able to travel sitting upright in stable condition, Business Class seats will be reserved for them and an accompanying doctor or paramedic who is able to provide first-aid care, if needed, and emotional support during the flight.

If the patient has to travel lying down, some seats will be removed from the aircraft to create some room for the patient to travel lying on a stretcher with accompanying medical staff. In this case, a screen is used to preserve the patient’s privacy.

Krankentransport im LinienflugzeugThe safest, most convenient and most efficient international ambulance option is flying on a private ambulance jet which provides the shortest lead times and the best in-flight medical care. The private jet is outfitted with the latest medical equipment and is often the best air ambulance option for patients with conditions requiring intensive care, a medical team and ICU equipment during the flight.

When do you need an international air ambulance service?

Our patients use air ambulance services often in cases where they are injured or have fallen ill while traveling and therefore want to go home or need to fly to another country for better care. An international air ambulance is also useful to people in need of specialized intensive care, or who wish to travel for better or cheaper healthcare in a different country. In all of these cases, an international air medical transportation option can be your best bet for safe travel while receiving the appropriate medical care en route.

How are costs for an international air ambulance calculated?

How much does medical air transport cost ? Before booking an international air ambulance flight, you’ll want to understand how we calculate our costs, so you can decide what the best course of action is for you. Because each patient’s situation and needs are unique, there is no fixed rate that will apply to each case.

As an air ambulance company, while calculating the cost, we consider several factors, such as:

  • The patient’s state of health
  • Flight route and distance
  • Type of aircraft required

The patient’s state of health

A patient’s health condition affects all aspects of air ambulance travel. A patient’s condition can determine the type of aircraft needed and equipment required. Some health conditions even require special types of air ambulance travel, like sea level flights that keep cabin pressure close to the air pressure on the ground.

Flight route and distance

While the patient’s condition is an important cost factor, the primary factor in determining international air ambulance costs is the route and distance of the flight. While long distances are more expensive than short distances, we do not have a flat distance traveled rate. Instead, our team of advisors calculates the costs for travel route and distance on an individual basis.

Type of aircraft required

The best air ambulance aircraft is highly dependable on the patient's condition and flight requirements. The least expensive type of international medical flight involves traveling on a commercial flight with a medical escort. However, some patients require or even prefer traveling on a private ambulance jet, due to their severe state of health, the advanced level of care available, and shorter lead times. In time-critical cases that only require short-distance travel, an ambulance helicopter will land at the hospital where the patient is located and fly them directly to their destination hospital.

While these factors, and more, go into determining the final cost, each situation is unique and requires different types of medical flights. To get a no-obligation quote for your specific needs, contact us today.

Why book your international air ambulance with Medical Air Service?

At Medical Air Service, our goal is to provide you the best possible in-flight medical care at the most affordable prices for both domestic and international air ambulance services. Our fleet of aircraft is well-equipped, and our experienced medical staff is ready to provide you the care you need to travel safely and comfortably. We have tie-ups to major airports as well as smaller airfields, allowing us to offer top-quality service across the world. Our team can even help you plan your travel and arrange ground transport to make sure you get exactly where you need to go.

Nine reasons why our customers pick us

  1. Worldwide availability
  2. 24/7 availability
  3. Fast dispatch times
  4. International network
  5. Multilingual staff
  6. Transparent costs, no hidden fees
  7. Personal flight consultant, no call center
  8. Maximum relief for our clients
  9. Bed-to-Bed service (if requested)

You can rest assured about our service because of our ISO 9001certification for our quality management and our experience organizing air ambulance flights globally. Moreover, here is what some of our past customers have to say about Medical Air Service:

“Thank you so very much for everything. All of you at the office who made this possible and the crews who flew with our family - every one of you has been amazing”

Mr. A from Seattle, 2020

“Thank you so much especially to you for all your support and to the flight crew for the excellent job. My husband had the operation and is recovering now. I'm thankful for everything you and everyone involved did for us”

Mrs. B. from Tirana, 2020

“Many thanks for all the team for their kind support, high professionalism, continuous availability, we appreciate the serious job done to insure the safety of travel along with medical expertise. Thank you to the crew, the medical team and all the flight dispatchers! Great job!”

Mr. D, H, 2020 (Google My Business)

Contact us and we will advise you on the best international ambulance option tailored to your needs

For international air ambulance services, our team members are available 24/7 to discuss your situation, answer questions, and provide a quote for your specific needs.

Get in touch now